Type-writing machine



(No Model.) s'sheets-sheen 1.

- R. E. MORRIS.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE. No. 355,703. Patented Jan. 11.1887.

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(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

R. R. MORRIS.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

No. 355,703. Patented Jan. 11, 1887.

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. (N0 Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3. R. E. MORRIS. TYPE WRITINGMGHIN.

No. 355,703. Patented Jam. 11, 1887.

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ROBERT ERASTUS MORRIS,- OF WICHITA, KANSAS.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

p SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 355,703, dated January 11, 1887.

Application filed June 1-1, 1:86.` Serial No. 205,093. (No model.) Patented in England February 1, i886, No. 1,454.

Z'o @ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that l, ROBERT ERAsrUs Mon- RIs, of Vichita, in the county of Sedgwick and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful lmprov'ementsin Type-Writing Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the'accom- Ypanying drawings, forming part of this specitication, and to the figures and letters ot' reference marked thereon. v

rlhis invention relates to certain improvementsin that class of type-writers or printingmachines described in rmy application No. 171,773; and it consists in certain novel combinations, constructions, and arrangements of parts, as hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims whereby the machine is simplified and its peration improved.

ln the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a plan, and Fig. 2 a sideelevation, of my iinproved machine. Fig. 3 is an end view ofthe same. Fig. 4 is a detached View of the feedingdevices. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the type-plate. Fig. 6 is a detached view of the devices for actuating or setting the typeplate. Fig. 7 illustrates a modified but preferred form of holdingdeviees. Fig. 8 is a sectional View taken on the line x x of Fig. l, looking toward the left; and Fig. 9 is a view of one ofthe end plates, showing the roller in section and the pawl for limiting the motion of the roller.

Similar' letters of reference in the several figures indicate the same parts.

Upon a bed-plate, A, two standards or uprights, A', are erected,..each provided with a central bearing, a, to receive the journals of the roller B, which latter is furnished with a notched or toothed disk, A2, co-operating with a spring-p awl, a', serving to .--determine the feeding movement and to holdthe roller in adjusted position. The two nprights Aare also connected by rods or bars B' B2, lying parallel to each other and to the roller B, one of said bars, B', being journaled in the uprights, while the other, B2, is supported in open bearings b, and rests upon set-screws b9, whereby the height of the printing mechanism above the vroller B is adj usted, as hereinafter explained. The bars B' B2 are connected together at each end by plates B3, which serve to maintain the bars in their proper relative positions when the frame composed of the bars B B` is raised to uncover the roller, the bar B' operating as the pivot upon which the frame turns when thus elevated. A latch may be employed, if desired, for retaining the bar B2 in the` open bearings during the printing operation, to prevent the accidental raising of the frame, and pins b5 on the uprights A' engage lugs or projections b on the plates' B3, to sustain the frame when thrown back.

Pivoted to the inner faces of both upright-s A', at a point in rear of the rollerB, is a yoke, C, whose front may, if' desired, rest upon a pinor shoulder, c. These yokes C are formed with elongated slots or bearings o', on opposite sides of the roller B, to receive the journals of the smaller rollers, OQ, the latter being provided with pulleys czat each end, over which are placed elastic belts or bands ci, uniting the corresponding ends ot' the rollers O'.

The rollers C', preferahl y located slightly below the aXis of roller B, are held firmly in paper, the rollers C' yielding laterally to pass the roller B. The rollers C', being impelled Rol toward each other `by elastic pressure devices when mounted in the yoke C, below the center of the roller B, as described, operate to hold the yokes pressed down, and at the same time to hold the paper tightly down over the roller B; but, if desired, catches may be appliedV to the yokes for` holding the rollers C' in contact with the paper and the roller B, as will be readily understood.

It is not essential to the operating ofthe paper-holding mechanism that both of the `rollers C' should be thus mounted in slotted bearings, nor that belts should be employed for effecting a simultaneous rotation of said rollers, as it is found in practice to be sufficient if one of the rollers C bethus sustained in slotted bearings and provided with springs for pressing it toward the roller B in such man-- IOC) ner that as the yokes C are brought down the movable roller C will be forced back as it passes the center of roller B, and will be forced inward toward and against the roller B after passing the center of the latter, and thus not only press and hold the paper. but also retain the yokes down in position. Such amodification of the paper-holding device is shown in Fig. 7 wherein the front roller C only is mounted in the slotted bearings in the yoke C, while the rear roller is replaced by a series ofloose rings or disks, c, mounted upon a rod, c, secured' to the yokes C. The rod cl2 is sufciently elastic tocause the rings c11 to beheld in yielding contact with the paper on roller B when the yokes are turned down.

The roller C is composed of a stiff bar or rod, c, provided near each end with an elastic covering, c, which bears against the paper when placed on roller B at or near the opposite edges "without touching the central por! tion, whereby a more even. and uniform motion of the paper is obtained. Above the rod c is arranged a second rod, 015, secured at each end in one of the yokes C, and provided with a plate, c, upon which is marked a scale whose divisions correspond with the spaces in' the feeding mechanism, said scale serving to locate the letters as printed. Springs c1T are arranged to bear upon the ends of the rod c, so as to press the latter toward the roller B, as described. K

The devices thus far described constitute an eieient and convenient mechanism for holdtageously used therewith.

Located above and extending across the rollerB is a frame, D, resting upon but free to slide longitudinally of the bars B B2, said frame carrying the printing and feeding mechamsin.

The printing mechanism is constructed and applied as follows: At one end of the frame D is journaled a roller, D', lying transversely across `and above the roller B, and upon the axis of this roller D is hung a yoke, D2, carrying a pin, d, provided with a head or nut, T. Resting upon the roller D', and with the pin d projecting through a longitudinal slot, e, is a plate, E, the opposite or forward end, E', whereof is widened and depressed to bring it nearer the roller B. The plate E is thus rendered adjustable both radially and laterally about the pin d, and is free to vibrate upon the axis of roller D to elevate and depress the end E, said roller being mounted upon the axis of the yoke D2, and serving to diminish the friction of the plate E thereon when the former is reciprocated yback and forth, as-hereinafterexplained.

The type-plate F, provided with separate impression-faces or type, f, preferably composed of rubber or other yielding material, is attached to the lower surface of the extension e of plate E, and above the latter are formed or affixed a series of characters corresponding to those of the types f, both as to their relative arrangement on the plate F and their assigned form or value, said series of characters constituting an index.

Mounted upon or secured to the top plate,d, ofthe fraaie D, and beneath the faces of the type, is an inkingsurfaee, F', with which, as

the plate E is moved, the type are brought into contact, and insaid plate d and the pad thereon, immediately above they roller B, is formed an opening, (Z7, through which the type are projected, one at a time, as the plate E is depressed.

,The inking-surface F may consist of a pad or strip of some suitable textile fabric-suchas the ordinary inki ng-ribbon-stretched upon the plate or frame c, so that as the t ype-plate is oscillated and depressed during the opera tiouof printing, the faces of 'the type will be brought down upon said inking surface or.

pad.

To the frame D is secured a pointer, G, whose'end is carried over and above the index ES on the plate E, so that when any given character upon the index is brought under the end of the pointer the corresponding type will stand above the opening all and in position to be impressed upon the paper lying upon the roller B. o

In order to insure the proper alignment of the characters in printing and to guide and position the plateEas the impression is made, a tapered pin, g, is secured to the frame D below the plate E', and the latter is provided with a series of holes, g,corresponding in number and relative position tothe types f, so that when said plate is depressed the pin g will enter one of the holes g.

The plate E is provided with a knob, E3, or other convenient form of handle, to facilitate the manipulation of the plate back and forth or from side to side, to bring the differ- 4ent types into position and to impress them upon the paper.

The type are preferably applied to the plate in curved lines, and they may be arranged either upon concentric arcs or upon a series of arcs having the same radins, and in either case each individual letter or character should be so disposed that it will stand at right angles to a line drawn from the center of oscillation and passing through the said type when the latter occupies its printing position above the opening (Z7. By such arrangement the dis-` tance to be traversed by the type-plate in loeating each letter is reduced; but, as is obvious, the type may be arranged in any order desired in parallel, radial,segmental, or other form, solong as each type when broughtto the impression-point will stand in proper relation to the line of printing, the registering device and index being correspondingly modified.

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In order to enlarge the capacity of the machine without materially increasing its size, and to provide for the ready removal of the type-plate and the substitution of others bearing the same or dissimilar styles of type, the type-plate Fis removably applied to the plate E, and is provided with two or more series of type-such as capitals and small letters or type of different sizes or-shapes-and provision is made whereby the type-plate can be shifted upon the plate E', and with-respect to the registering devices and index-plate, so that one set of type may replace the other. To accomplish this effect the type-plate is supported beneath the plate E upon screws or bolts h, passing through curvedy slots h" in said plate E.

Beneath a plate, H, serving as a cover to the end of plate E, and in which the index is supported, is pivoted alever, H', having a knob or handle, h2, projecting through an arcshaped slot in said plate H, and normally held l to the width of the character, in order that the next succeeding letter may be impressed. With printing devices such as described, either the support for the paper or the frame or carriage may be moved; but I prefer to reciprocate the printing mechanism longitudinally of the support, and to this end the feedcontrolling devices are located upon the fra-me and operate to advance the latter a determinate distance as each character is impressed, as follows: One of the bars upon which the frame D is mounted, and preferably the front bar, B2, is furnished with a series of teeth, l, and upon the side of th'e removable plate D9, applied to the frame D, is pivoted at i a link or lever, I', provided at one end with a tooth, i', engaging the rack I, and at the opposite end with a stud, t. The lever I is normally held down into engagement with the rack by a spring, i3. To the lever I', and in front of its pivot, is hung a pawl, I?, whose free end pr-ojects backward, and'a second pawl, 13, standing in the same'direction as pawl Itis hung upon the axis of the lever I. Pivoted to the pawl I3 is a lever, I, carrying a thumb-piece, t5, and a slotted extension, t", working loosely upon a pin, t", ou pawl l?.

At the end of the roller D', and upon the axis thereof, is hung a leverJ, whose outer end projects above the stud i2 of the lever I', and is providediwith a thumb-piece,j, located above the thumb-piece 5 of lever It. Upon said lever J, and near its pivot, is formed a shoulder, j', to engage a'pin, 3'2, on an extension of the yoke D. v

The operation of the devices as thus constructed is as follows: When the machine is not in operation the tooth z" of the lever Iengages the rack to prevent the forward movement of the printing devices, and the pawls l2 I3, also engaging the rack, prevent movement in the opposite direction. If, now, the print-` ing-plate isdepressed to force the type down and into contact with the paper, it will operate through the bolt T on the yoke D2 to elevate the latter and depress the pin which is attached in front of the pivot Asthe pin 7'2 is thus depressedit bears against the shoulder j and forces the lever J down and into contact with the stud i2 of the lever I', depressing the rear end and elevating its forward end until the tooth t" is withdrawn from contact with the rack, and the point of the pawl l2 is advanced a distance equal to one or more teeth of the rack, depending upon the amount of feed desired. After the type has been brought -into contact with the paper and the plate is elevated the lever I is forced back to its first position by the spring, and as its forward end descends, the pawl l2 having taken a new position upon the rack in advance of that previously occupied, the whole frame is pushed forward until the tooth on said lever I again strikes the rack and locks the frame in position preparatory to the printing of the next succeeding character. By means of thethumbpiece on the lever J this feeding motion can be effected without depressing the type-plate, and thus the spacing between Words can be accomplished, and when it is desired to move the frame back or forth to position it, by pressing the two thumb-pieces tgether not only will the lever I be actuated and its engaging end freed from the rack, but the pawls I'I l3 ywill likewise be elevated and held above th rack, so as to release the frame.

The feeding devices, as described, being 'mounted upon the reciprocating frame and above the guide-rods, it does not in any way interfere with the raising or tilting of the frame upon the rear guide-bar, as before described.

The type-plate F, which, as before described, is designed to be removably attached to the plate E', is preferably provided with a series of separate type or impression surfaces of rubber o r other elastic material united upon a back piece or plate in the usual manner. As,

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however, it is difficult in making such a plate relative'position to the type and the index.l The plate tl is secured to the plate E by screws or other form of clamping devices which will insure the proper location of the parts, and

the type-plate F is inserted between this plate t7 and the under surface of the plate E', with the type or impression surfaces projecting through 4the openings in said plate t7 and eX- tending beyond the face of the latter. By this means each type isfproperly located with respect to the index and impression point, the plate t7 serving as a gage for this purpose, and by tightening up the' screws or other clamping mechanism the plate F is held firmly in position on the plate E.

The inking pad or surface, instead of being made rigid, is composed of or mounted upon an elastic cushion, so that thelatter may yield when the type-plate is depressed, as shown in Fig. 8.

I claim as my invention-- 1.V In altype-writer, such as described, the combination, with the uprights and paperfeeding roller, of the holding-rollers, located below the center of the supporting-rollers, mounted in pivoted yokes, and pressed toward each other and held in contact with the paper- A by spring-pressure, substantially as described.

2. rllhe combination', with the paper supporting and feeding roller and the pivoted yokes supported at each end of said roller, of the holding-rollers supported in said yokes and movable toward and from the rst-mentioned roller and the elastic bands applied to and connecting the corresponding ends of the two holdingrollers and operating to draw these together and cause their simultaneous rotation, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with the paper-supporting roller and the holding-rollers mounted upon pivotedyokes, of the pivotally-attached reciprocating printing mechanism supported upon bars or ways parallel with the first-mentioned roller, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with the paper-supporting roller and the longitudinally-reciprocating printing devices pivoted to one side and extending above the roller, of the yokes, also pivoted to one side, having the slots, the holding-rollers mounted therein, and the elastic bands for drawing the holding rollers toward the supporting-roller, substantially as described.

5; The combination, with the supportingroller and its standards, of the parallel rods forming ways upon which the printing mechanism is reciprocated,said rods being connected by yokes and supported the one in closed an the other in open bearingsin the standards and on opposite sides o1' the roller, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with the reciprocating frame `carrying the printing .mechanism mounted upon the'guide-rodsf the lever pivoted to the frame and'povided with a tooth and pawl for engaging rack-teeth on one of the guide-rods and the vspring for returning the said lever to its starting point after it has been raised, whereby the frame is advanced a determinate distance at each reciprocation of the lever and locked in position for printing the next succeeding character, substantially as described.

7. The combination, with the movable plate carrying the type-plate and the yoke to which it is pivoted, of the lever provided with a shoulder engaging a pin upon the said yoke, said lever engagingthe pivotedlever when the type-plate is depressed to cause the tooth on said lever to be raised from the rack-bar and the feedingpawl to advance, substantially as described.

8. rlhe combination, with the frame and its pivoted yoke, of the plate carrying the type attached to the yoke, so as to be capable of an oscillating and radial movement with respect thereto, substantially as described.

9. The combination, with the radially movable and oscillating plate carrying the type, ofthe yoke to which said plate is attached, pivotally mounted on the frame, and theroller supported upon an axis coincident with'the pivots of the yoke to sustain the said movable plate and permit of its adjustment and vibration, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

10. The combination, with the pivoted yoke and the plate pivotally supported 'so as to be free to move radially thereon, of the typeplate and index attached to said movable plate and the pointer co-operating with the index for properly locating the type, substantially as described.

11. rllhe combination, with the plate movable with respect to the printing position, of a type-plate adj ustably attached to said movof characters to be employed, substantially as described.

12. The combination, with a movable plate by which the characters to be printed are located and impressed at a given point, of a plate provided with a plurality of sets or series of characters movably attached to said firstmentioned plate and an index common to both sets of type for locating corresponding characters, substantially as described. f

13. The combination, with a plate movable radially with respect to its center of oscillation, an index attached to said plate, and a pointer cooperating with said index, vof a typeplate attached to said movable plate and adjustable thereon in the arc of a circle to bring the several sets of type into proper relation to the pivot and the index, substantially as described.

14. The combination, with the movableplate and the type-plate adjustably secured thereto and bearing a plurality of sets of characters,

vof the lever pivoted upon the movable plate and engaging the type-plate to adjust the latter, substantially as described.

15. The combination, with the plate carrying the type-plate connected to a pivoted yoke so as to move radially and laterally with respect to its point of attachment, of a lever for oper- ICO able plate, so asv to permit ditferentsets or series( ating the feeding mechanism connected tothe yoke, substantially as described, so asA to be actuated thereby when the type-plate is depressed, but free to move independently of;

5 said yoke, substantially as described.

16. The combination, with the pivoted lever provided with the tooth and paWl engaging the rack, the retaining-pand, and thelever loosely connected to both of said pawls, of thelever for 1o actuating the rst-xnentioned lever, whereby the pawls and lever can be Asimultaneously raised out of contact with the rack, substanl tially as described.

' 17. The combination, with the lever pivoted upon the reciprocating frame and provided 15 with the forwardly-projecting tooth and oppositely-projecting paWl for engaging the rack and the retaining-pawl hung upon the pivot of the lever, of the lever loosely connected to both of said pawls and operating, When raised, 2o to elevate both pawls above the rack, substantially as described. f

ROBERT ERASTUS MORRIS. VWitnesses: f

JOHN B. MORRIS, WESLEY S. MORRIS. 

